A Proto-Standard for Carbon Accounting and Auditing using the E-Liability Method

Abstract

The E-liability method is an approach to accurately and verifiably account for, in as close to real time as practicable, the specific cradle-to-gate greenhouse-gas emissions embedded in any product or service that transacts in the economy. This document develops a proto-standard for carbon accounting and auditing using the E-liability method. A number of different jurisdictions are currently attempting to develop standards for entities to calculate and report the GHG emissions embedded in their outputs, especially to have an assessment basis for planned carbon border levies. This document can serve as a complementary guide for such efforts, ensuring that standards developed in different geographies, industries, and sectors follow similar, interoperable, and conceptually sound accounting principles.

Keywords: accounting, climate change, supply chains